Experience using a gestational surrogate

Has it been suggested to anyone they should strongly consider using one because a preg would be very high risk to mom? If so what was the experience like and cost? I know very $$. I was told by the DR it is not common nor allowed in NY but in NJ its very popular. It was suggested I think about using a friend or family member, which is a tough topic to bring up when no one knows I see an RE or have gone through one round. For me to carry a baby can cause a great deal of complications to my health, and I could lose the baby via pre-term delivery due to my own medical issues or I can have no complications but the odds are stacked against me. This is a very short version of my situation because it would be too much to type with all the possible senerios.

Re: Experience using a gestational surrogate

You should FM Pennycat.

Re: Experience using a gestational surrogate

Agreed Pennycat is the expert

Re: Experience using a gestational surrogate

I briefly looked into it a couple years ago after the drs at Cornell suggested it.
There's actually a bill in the Senate now that if passed, will allow for compensated surrogacy in NY. Compassionate surrogacy is permitted, unpaid, etc. so for us my cousin had offered to be a carrier. I've heard of ladies doing their cycle here then carrying their embryos out of state to a carrier.
Have you consulted with a mfm/peri to discuss your options, possible scenarios if you were to carry?. I would assume they have the experience, most definitely the knowledge.

Hth

Re: Experience using a gestational surrogate

Yes, I had a consult with a Maternal fetal dr. (I still don't have the lingo down), last week and they were the second practice to bring it up. My RE was the first person to bring the topic up.

What a beautiful gift your cousin gave you by carrying your baby for you. Its just me so I have no family

I really want to carry a baby myself so that I can have the full experience. Yes, I know it's only 9 month of the experience but I still want that part. If I take the risk I know for me it will be great with many unknowns. The MF group was not able to come up with a safe plan. They felt comfortable coming up some aspects of a plan, but the rest...a big gamble.

Re: Experience using a gestational surrogate

To clarify, I didn't use a gestational carrier. When we discussed it, my cousin offered. I persued and continued with invitro. My problem is pregnancy loss. My 6 th IVF was successful with my DD. Although my pregnancy itself was awful, I'm glad I pushed through it. I'd trust your gut and seek a second opinion.

Re: Experience using a gestational surrogate

oops, sorry I miss read

Re: Experience using a gestational surrogate

I was on the GC path for almost a year. I worked with an agency and my surrogate had two canceled cycles. I had no family willing to carry for me either (besides my mom who offered lol.. My dr said she wouldn't be a candidate)

The contract was drawn in the state my surrogate lived, though the transfer was going to take place in NYC. (We never actually made it to transfer)

I'm not sure if you followed Gulianna Rancic's journey, but we used the same agency as her. I have all the info for the agency as well as the right people to contact if you are interested. It was more $$ than the agency I was with prior to them, but it was run a zillion times more efficiently. I actually highly recommend them if you are able to swing it.

For what it's worth, some time off, a new set of eyes, and winning the numbers game is what helped bring me my son. I was originally told I wouldn't carry a pregnancy and if I did manage to make it to the third tri, I'd be at risk of many issues. Despite a brief run with preterm labor issues, my healthy son was born at 39 1/2 weeks. I know our issues must be VERY different, but all I'll say is you never know.

Re: Experience using a gestational surrogate

Re: Experience using a gestational surrogate

Thank you for the info, I will FM you for the name and number. I am sure the cost for a GC would be too great. I had to pay out of pocket for one round of IVF.

Message edited 2/22/2014 3:32:30 PM.